NPCC takes a dig at Nagaland government

Dimapur, April 13 (EMN): The Nagaland Pradesh Congress Committee (NPCC) on Monday said that the announcement of a person from Nagaland being tested positive for the novel coronavirus (Covid-19) on April 12 had ‘confirmed the worst fears of people living under lockdown for past 20 days’.

In a press release issued by its communication department, the NPCC said that the announcement made by Assam’s Health minister Himanta Biswa Sarma caught the state government unawares

The party stated that ‘last minute work of sprucing up some hospitals or health centres will not be enough to handle the flow of patients if Covid infection spreads’. “Nagaland by now should have Covid-19 testing lab in place other than being assured that it is in progress. Deficiency of PPE and other critical medical equipment still continues which is utterly disgraceful and demoralising to those frontline healthcare workers,” the press release read.

“The reluctance of state government to opt for participatory approach from all political parties is baffling,” it said, adding that inspection of hospitals, distribution of some medical kits and food items is the only visible work of PDA government headed by Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio. If only importance was given to social and health sectors, things would have not been as bad as it is now, it added.

The party accused the legislators of the ruling party of resorting to publicity spree while distributing government procured items like hand sanitisers, mask, gloves and food items to district administration and people. It added that the people are being made to believe that the essential items are being personally procured and donated by the ministers.

“In the past month alone, hundreds of crores have been sanctioned by government of India to fight Covid-19. Alongside, enough food grains have been made available to the extent of provisioning 3 months share in advance to ration card holders. It was also announced that major part of state disaster management funding is being used to procure rice for distribution to cover even those without ration cards,” read the statement.

“However, available reports point out huge deficiency in ground delivery which is laced with discrimination and favouritism particularly on political lines,” it claimed.

The NPCC stated the best that the state government can do at this juncture is to rise up to the occasion and create an all inclusive approach.

“All districts and assembly constituencies must be given fair and equal treatment without any political bias. These are extraordinary times when our own lives are at stake, we cannot simply create own silos and perish like fools. There will be enough time to do politicking if we survive this pandemic,” it stated.